DVDActive uses cookies to remember your actions, such as your answer in the poll. Cookies are
also used by third-parties for statistics, social media and advertising. By using this website, it is
assumed that you agree to this.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (UK - BD RB)

Feature

It is 1805 and Napoleon’s warships are deployed all over the world to engage the British navy. The HMS Surprise, captained by Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), is being stalked by the Acheron, a French frigate that is both larger and more powerful. Following initial defeat at the hands of the French, Aubrey doesn’t retreat to England and instead decides to remain at sea, repair the Surprise and engage the enemy once again…

Based on the writing of Patrick O’Brian, Master and Commander takes plot elements and characters from his novels and spins them into an original story. The elements you expect from a movie like this are all present and correct. Men being men on the high seas? Check. Everyone getting soaked through while shouting at each other? Check. Lots of cannon and sword action? Check. Peter Weir directs the action as if you’re right in there with the crew and uses swooping shots of the ship sparingly but for me, what sets Master and Commander apart from any other drama-on-the-high-seas movies you may care to mention is the historical details we’re offered.

Never leaving the action to head back to England for some plot development, we spend the whole movie with the crew of the Surprise and with a running time of well over two hours, we’re given the opportunity to not only get to know them but also find out what role each of them performs on the ship. We get to see the inner workings of a nineteenth century warship, which could be dry and boring, but we’re presented with them at the same time as Aubrey is barking orders so the viewer can either choose to absorb the details or not while the action unfolds. For example—have you ever wondered why nautical speed is measured in knots? Watch Master and Commander and you’ll find out.

Most interesting of all to me was the sequence where the Surprise stops off at the Galapagos Islands. Paul Bettany’s character makes a comment about taking the tortoises off the islands because they would be good food for the crew, and that is exactly right because by leaving the tortoises alive on the ship until it was dinner time, the meat would be fresher. I’ve just finished watching the BBC’s Galapagos series on DVD and the related historical facts thrown into this movie are pleasingly accurate, making that series a surprisingly good accompaniment to Master and Commander.

The long time spent on showing the inner workings of the ship also means that we get to spend plenty of screen time with the different characters that inhabit it. We get to see how they relate to each other and the way the lower-ranked shipmates deal with the better-educated officers. The performances of the whole cast do justice to the well-written source material and there are many highlights, but my pick of the bunch is Max Pirkis as the young Midshipman Blakeney. He delivers an adult performance in a role that the director could easily have just paid lip service to and treated him as a child instead.

The central themes of this movie are leadership and teamwork, focusing most of all on how a man like Captain Aubrey can bring a group of people of different classes and backgrounds together to make the HMS Surprise work like a well-oiled machine. The movie opens with a watchman’s struggle to make a decision and later touches on the difficulties he faces in establishing himself as a leader. This is counter-pointed by Aubrey’s strong leadership and split second decision-making and he even gives a short lecture on how to be a leader of men. If anyone reading this review teaches management courses, you should consider showing a few clips from this movie to your class to get your points across.

Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany in the central roles are as convincing as you would expect from these two experienced actors. Together again following their partnership in A Beautiful Mind, Bettany is the quiet and measured good cop to Crowe’s loud and brash bad cop. Together they effectively act as parents to everyone else on the ship and because the whole movie is set at sea, all the action in the movie involves one or both of them to some extent. The only drawback I could see to Master and Commander is the fact that it would be quite difficult to continue the series without delivering essentially the same movie again. Watching two master nautical tacticians blast the hell out of each other’s ships is exciting for one movie, but even though the relationships between the characters are compelling, I’m happy for the franchise to end with episode one.

Video

Master and Commander is presented in 2.35:1 (1080p) and I’m happy to report that the movie looks very good. The detail is as sharp as any Blu-ray release I’ve seen so far, with much to admire in the waves of the ocean and the fog is particularly impressive, where I would have expected to find compression artefacts or grain in a lower-grade high definition disc. The colours are very strong as well, with black exactly the same shade as the widescreen borders. This is often where sub-par transfers get found out, but Master and Commander looks great and you should definitely pick it up if you’re looking to show off the potential of Blu-ray.

Audio

I’m pleased to say it’s a similar story with the audio quality. Master and Commander comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track and I have a word of warning for you—it’s loud! I had to turn down my surround system from its usual level as soon as the opening battle got going, but the detail in the soundtrack was amazing, with booming cannons and splintering wood coming through the rear speakers. It comes as no surprise that this movie picked up an Oscar for sound editing and the transfer here definitely does the soundtrack justice. Music is used sparingly, especially in the early scenes where the only music is provided by Crowe and Bettany’s characters but when the orchestra does kick in, it sounds just as good as anything else on the track.

Extras

After the high standards set by the video and audio quality I was hoping to get stuck into a decent set of extras, but I found myself faced with a rather odd collection of features. We start off with six deleted scenes, totalling twenty-four minutes, and if you add that on to the movie’s running time you’ll see why something had to be culled. The scenes here all go into more detail about the characters and life on the ship, although the scene leading up to the lashing may have added something extra to the movie. Without an audio commentary or ‘Making of’ to be found, trailers for Master and Commander, Live Free or Die Hard and Eragon round out the ‘normal’ set of extras before we head into oddball territory.

The trivia track is probably the most useful option available, which provides you with pop-up notes about the movie and the historical background. For example, did you know that Paul Bettany used to be a member of the Sea Cadets Corp when he was young and was one of the few actors who got seasick? Well, you do now. The pop-up map option allows you to track the geographical location of the on-screen action throughout the movie and the personal scene selections option allows you to bookmark your favourite scenes. The ‘Search Content’ option is an on-screen index of the whole movie that lets you to jump directly to the point in the movie where any particular subject or item is mentioned, from albatross all the way down the alphabet to weevil.

Overall

With a relatively inward-looking plot and almost no female presence at all, it’s not difficult to see why Master and Commander didn’t set the box office alight upon its theatrical release, but I have to say I thought it was an exciting and intelligent movie that’s definitely worthy of your time. The presentation here is excellent and if you’re a fan of the movie you shouldn’t let the strange set of extra features put you off picking up this disc.

* Note: The images on this page are not representative of the Blu-ray release.

Advertisements

Comments

Reply

Message

Enter the message here then press submit. The username, password and message are required. Please make the message constructive, you are fully responsible for the legality of anything you contribute. Terms & conditions apply.

I absolutely loved this film. I think it had the misfortune to come out after all the PoTC craze. Folks were looking for a gay ole time like they got with PoTC and instead were given a very intelligent and deep film that was short on whimsy and more on depth. That just isn't major boxoffice fodder unfortunately. I would have loved to seen this in a digital theater. Sadly our local theater just last year converted.

Quote: I know but it can be unavoidable. Not everyone in England is a football yob (I cannot stand it), drinks tea and talks posh but if you watch the drivel that is Euro Trip you'd think they are.

hahaha As a kid I used to think everyone in England is really posh and conservative.Of course that has all changed.I also do not think the opposite,that everyone is a hooligan working class trouble maker.Stereotypes crack me up. Being from California, everyone thinks I am a surfer slacker pothead.To a degree I am.Heck, I work in a surf shop and have been around surf culture all my life. Euro Trip is horrible but at the same time it's so Quote: I know, it's good to hear. You guys took your times over it

People have largely been against it since day 1 across most of Europe. It was never popular in the UK but Tony B. ignored us and did it anyway.

IMO George Bush has done more damage in the last 8 years for America on the world stage and for people's opinion of America and sadly it's people than any American for 50 years prior to it. The sooner he's out the better!

A large part of the public has been against it since day 1 too. Especially here in Central California. Unfortunately Congress was Republican and basically said yes to anything Bushy wanted and like Tony B. ignored the public.Not to mention sending the military in without armor ROFL.So ready for 2008. I have hated the candidates running for so long. I believe Obama can change us for the better and he could possibly win.At least he can speaks English.

To me the Pub is a very British (and Irish) thing. Pubs in Australasia/New Zealand are quite different and they all tend to be bars in America.

Quote: Also talking about the American people as a whole isn't exactly right. I know but it can be unavoidable. Not everyone in England is a football yob (I cannot stand it), drinks tea and talks posh but if you watch the drivel that is Euro Trip you'd think they are.

Quote: At least half the American people hate the current regime and have since 2000. I know, it's good to hear. You guys took your times over it

People have largely been against it since day 1 across most of Europe. It was never popular in the UK but Tony B. ignored us and did it anyway.

IMO George Bush has done more damage in the last 8 years for America on the world stage and for people's opinion of America and sadly it's people than any American for 50 years prior to it. The sooner he's out the better!

Bradavon wrote: Maybe I do need to see more Vietnam films but then remember that is a unique case (like the probable Iraq films that have already started) whereby the American people "now" consider it a mistake. I take your point though.

Quote: There Will Be Blood is a great example. That's only just opened here today in fact. I'm going to see it tomorrow night. It looks excellent.

Quote: Well at this point I am convinced that most people in the Midwest only read their bibles. You'll get no complaints from me :D , based on my obviously more limited knowledge of America.

p.s - Right now where is the USA Region A BD? Like Arnie I wish I was born American , okay not really but a Region A BD Player is the most sensible way to go.

No idea.I have wanted to visit the UK since I was a child.Now that I am older, I naturally want to visit for even more reasons. I love maritime history and want to visit HMS Victory,castles etc.Drink in some pubs and meet some English ladies.I'd love to live over there for a while too.

Also talking about the American people as a whole isn't exactly right.At least half the American people hate the current regime and have since 2000.The number just seems to be growing.I have faith in the next election.For everything wrong with our country we do at least have the ability to go the complete opposite direction in 4 yrs.

Maybe I do need to see more Vietnam films but then remember that is a unique case (like the probable Iraq films that have already started) whereby the American people "now" consider it a mistake. I take your point though.

Quote: There Will Be Blood is a great example. That's only just opened here today in fact. I'm going to see it tomorrow night. It looks excellent.

Quote: Well at this point I am convinced that most people in the Midwest only read their bibles. You'll get no complaints from me :D , based on my obviously more limited knowledge of America.

p.s - Right now where is the USA Region A BD? Like Arnie I wish I was born American , okay not really but a Region A BD Player is the most sensible way to go.

Bradavon wrote: Lincoln6Echo wrote: I'm confused...why would capturing a American ship even be in the discussion here? I mean, you do know this story took place during the British and French wars during the Napoleonic-era, don't you? The book wasn't though

The book centred on Britain vs. America but the film Britain vs. France.

Sam Spade wrote: As for America being attacked.In film we are attacked by many things: giant sea monsters, terrorists(ranging from crazy people from home and abroad), foreign nation etc...I could go on and on.Whatever crazy protagonist/monster Hollywood can come up with. The difference being in most cases Americans by the end of the film are the ones who successful. In the case of Master and Command it would've been the Americans who're defeated and the British triumphant. That's rare in American cinema (for Americans to lose).

You need to see more Vietnam films than. Not to mention many documentaries and usually independent films that enjoy showing America losing.Although these films tend not to be about war but the message still gets through.There Will Be Blood is a great example.America losing naturally isn't very entertaining to the masses.

Sam Spade wrote: It's just an odd decision and you are right.In this era everyone pretty much attacked each other in the open seas.America was sending goods to the British and French.A real strange decision indeed. I guess they also thought they would need to appeal to the Mid-West person who isn't particularly up on the facts, as those who are.[/quote]

Well at this point I am convinced that most people in the Midwest only read their bibles.

Lincoln6Echo wrote: I'm confused...why would capturing a American ship even be in the discussion here? I mean, you do know this story took place during the British and French wars during the Napoleonic-era, don't you? The book wasn't though

The book centred on Britain vs. America but the film Britain vs. France.

Sam Spade wrote: As for America being attacked.In film we are attacked by many things: giant sea monsters, terrorists(ranging from crazy people from home and abroad), foreign nation etc...I could go on and on.Whatever crazy protagonist/monster Hollywood can come up with. The difference being in most cases Americans by the end of the film are the ones who successful. In the case of Master and Command it would've been the Americans who're defeated and the British triumphant. That's rare in American cinema (for Americans to lose).

Sam Spade wrote: It's just an odd decision and you are right.In this era everyone pretty much attacked each other in the open seas.America was sending goods to the British and French.A real strange decision indeed. I guess they also thought they would need to appeal to the Mid-West person who isn't particularly up on the facts, as those who are.

yes, but the studio or the writers felt that they had to change the captured ship from American to French.

As for America being attacked.In film we are attacked by many things: giant sea monsters, terrorists(ranging from crazy people from home and abroad), foreign nation etc...I could go on and on.Whatever crazy protagonist/monster Hollywood can come up with.

It's just an odd decision and you are right.In this era everyone pretty much attacked each other in the open seas.America was sending goods to the British and French.A real strange decision indeed.

I too think this is a brilliant film and will be picking up the Region A BD (any word on a USA release?)

I'm just pleased Fox has bothered to include any extras on a catalogue title.

Even though I'm happy to get any extras I look at my lovely R1 2 Disc SE in lovely digi-pack (which was exclusive to R1) and do wish the BD had been given more, incidentally why cannot HD get digi-pack too?

It's such a shame another one of these in the series was never made , but if their was even a hint of it without Crowe and Weir I'm glad they didn't.

Sam Spade wrote: As a side note:Wouldn't have mattered to me if the ship they captured was from the US of A. I wonder if other Americans would feel that way? I don't know I'm just putting it out there. I guess they were fearful it would hurt it's box office appeal.

Obviously they're happier losing a few French people from seeing it than the much bigger American audience, not that I think the French would mind. I get the impression the American audience isn't use to seeing their nation attacked in anyway. Again I'm just wondering, that's not intended to be derogatory in anyway.

I always felt one of the reasons this film didn't fare better because it was woefully mis-marketed as a non-stop swashbuckling high seas adventure. And this simply isn't the case, most of the "action" is largely confined to the first 30 and last 30 or so of the film. I think most weren't expecting it to delve so deeply into the inner workings of the crew and ship.

I think it's an outstanding film rich in detail and character. The relationship between Aubrey and Maturin is very real and honest and I thought the Galapagos scenes were some of the finest in the film. I just love this film.

The most realistic maritime movie ever made.You feel how cramped the living space is,how painful surgeries were and just how brutal life as a sailor was in the 1800's(and earlier). One of my favorites but I love swashbuckler films in general.Master & Commander was up against The Lord Of The Rings, so it didn't exactly have a fair go in the box office.Thats a shame about the extras.

I usually hate sequels but if Peter Weir were to make one to this, I would be so happy.

As a side note:Wouldn't have mattered to me if the ship they captured was from the US of A.